Kenya Power Company (KPLC) has been ordered by Justice Josephine Mong’are to compensate the owner of the building that housed Nakumatt Do...
Kenya Power Company (KPLC) has been ordered by Justice Josephine Mong’are to compensate the owner of the building that housed Nakumatt Downtown supermarket with over Sh500 million for the losses incurred in the tragic fire of 2009. This verdict came after Woolworths Limited successfully made a case against KPLC for the fire that claimed the lives of at least 30 people on January 28, 2009.
“While the fire was tragic, we are pleased with the court’s decision to hold Kenya Power accountable for their role in this devastating incident,” stated a representative from Woolworths Limited.
Justice Mong’are dismissed claims against Nakumatt Limited and its director, Atulkumar Shah, stating that Nakumatt bore no responsibility for the fire.
“I opine that no evidence has been adduced to the effect that [Nakumatt’s] items were the cause of the fire outbreak,” she affirmed.
However, the judge found Kenya Power culpable for the fire due to contradictory accounts of the incident.
“In view of the foregoing… I am persuaded that there is prima facie evidence… to suggest that… [KPLC] is solely to blame for the fire outbreak,” she declared.
Following the ruling, it is evident that the tragedy could have been averted with better safety measures in place. Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi, in a separate inquiry, concluded that the fire was accidental and not the result of deliberate human action. However, he recommended stricter safety regulations, including installing generators outside buildings and away from flammable materials.
“The findings of the court reinforce the need for robust safety measures in commercial buildings,” remarked Andayi during his inquiry.
The aftermath of the fire revealed critical flaws in emergency evacuation procedures. Gas cylinders placed near the generator exacerbated the situation, making escape routes impassable. The intensity of the fire overwhelmed rescue efforts, leaving many trapped inside the building.
By Vivian K.
The post KPLC TO PAY 500 MILLION FOR NAKUMATT FIRE TRAGEDY appeared first on BNN.
